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Organic Winter Wheat Variety Trial, Heather Darby, Hillary Emick, Erica Cummings
Organic Winter Wheat Variety Trial, Heather Darby, Hillary Emick, Erica Cummings
Northwest Crops & Soils Program
In 2016, the University of Vermont Extension Northwest Crops and Soils Program evaluated 14 modern hard red winter wheat varieties to determine which varieties thrive in organic production systems. The trial was established at the Borderview Research Farm in Alburgh, Vermont. Several varieties that did not perform well in previous trial years were eliminated from the 2016 variety trial. Newly released varieties were also sought for evaluation.
Vegetable Fertility Management Trial, Heather Darby, Abha Gupta, Julija Cubins, Hillary Emick, Sara Ziegler
Vegetable Fertility Management Trial, Heather Darby, Abha Gupta, Julija Cubins, Hillary Emick, Sara Ziegler
Northwest Crops & Soils Program
Many organic vegetable producers have been relying heavily on livestock composts as a source of fertility on farms. Often, high rates of compost are applied to meet the nitrogen (N) needs of crops. When this strategy is implemented, it can lead to over application of phosphorus (P) and potassium (K). As an example, a grower may apply poultry manure at 6 tons ac-1 per year to supply vegetable crops with adequate N. This can contribute as much as 180 lbs ac-1 of P per year, where vegetable crop removal of P ranges from 10-80 lbs ac-1 per season. In this …
Cover Crop Mix In Corn Silage Trial, Heather Darby, Abha Gupta, Julija Cubins, Erica Cummings, Sara Ziegler
Cover Crop Mix In Corn Silage Trial, Heather Darby, Abha Gupta, Julija Cubins, Erica Cummings, Sara Ziegler
Northwest Crops & Soils Program
While growing corn silage, it is important to plan for soil health management during the season. Cover cropping is one way to prevent soil erosion, maintain and/or improve soil nutrients, improve soil aggregation, prevent nutrient loss from runoff, and increase water retention. Such soil improvements can promote conditions that add resiliency to a crop, especially in light of extreme weather patterns that may affect yields. It can be challenging to integrate cover crops into corn silage systems. Late harvest of corn silage can limit the ability to properly establish cover crops in the fall. Interseeding cover crops or earlier corn …
Heirloom Dry Bean Variety Trial, Heather Darby
Heirloom Dry Bean Variety Trial, Heather Darby
Northwest Crops & Soils Program
Dry beans (Phaseolus vulgaris), a high-protein pulse crop, have been grown in the Northeast since the 1800’s. As the local food movement continues to diversify and expand, consumers are asking stores to carry more and more locally-produced foods, and dry beans are no exception. Currently, the demand for heirloom dry beans has far exceeded the supply. In an effort to support and expend the local bean market throughout the northeast, the University of Vermont Extension Northwest Crops and Soils Program, as part of a USDA NE-SARE Partnership Grant (PG16-049), established a second year of trials in 2016 to evaluate heirloom …
Forage Brassica Variety Trial, Heather Darby, Sara Ziegler, Nate Brigham, Julija Cubins, Hillary Emick, Abha Gupta
Forage Brassica Variety Trial, Heather Darby, Sara Ziegler, Nate Brigham, Julija Cubins, Hillary Emick, Abha Gupta
Northwest Crops & Soils Program
Forage brassicas are very cold hardy and can extend the grazing season late into the fall. They grow extremely fast and provide very nutrient dense feed at times when growth is limited for many other species. Brassicas fit well into some annual crop rotations such as small grains or summer annual forages. Adding brassicas to a grazing plan can not only extend the grazing season but and can also reduce the reliance on expensive feed inputs. There are many different species of forage type brassicas on the market today including mustards, turnips, radishes, and kales. In 2016, the University of …
Organic Spring Barley Variety Trial, Heather Darby, Erica Cummings, Hillary Emick
Organic Spring Barley Variety Trial, Heather Darby, Erica Cummings, Hillary Emick
Northwest Crops & Soils Program
With the revival of the small grains industry in the Northeast and the strength of the locavore movement, craft breweries and distilleries have expressed an interest in sourcing local barley for malting. Malting barley must meet specific quality characteristics such as low protein content and high germination. Depending on the variety, barley can be planted in either the spring or fall, and both two- and six-row barley can be used for malting. In 2016, UVM Extension, in collaboration with the Eastern Spring Malting Barley Nursery (ESBN) testing network, conducted a spring malting barley trial to evaluate yield and quality of …
Flax Weed Control Trial, Heather Darby, Nate Brigham, Erica Cummings, Julija Cubins, Abha Gupta, Julian Post, Sara Ziegler
Flax Weed Control Trial, Heather Darby, Nate Brigham, Erica Cummings, Julija Cubins, Abha Gupta, Julian Post, Sara Ziegler
Northwest Crops & Soils Program
Flax (Linum usitatissimum L.) is a multi-purpose crop grown for its fiber, oil (linseed oil), and meal. The majority of production occurs in the Dakotas, Minnesota, and Montana. Recently there has been interest in growing flax in the northeast, both for human consumption and for animal feed, for its high levels of heart-healthy omega-3 fatty acids. Flax is a spring annual that is usually planted as early as the ground can be worked. However, one of the main challenges to successfully growing flax is weed control. Flax plants compete poorly with fast growing weeds due to its relatively short height …
Dry Bean Pest Scouting Report, Heather Darby, Ann Hazelrigg, Erica Cummings, Gabriella Maia
Dry Bean Pest Scouting Report, Heather Darby, Ann Hazelrigg, Erica Cummings, Gabriella Maia
Northwest Crops & Soils Program
A survey of dry bean pests was conducted on farms throughout Vermont during the 2016 season. Plant diseases and insect pests were scouted on five Vermont farm locations in the towns of Alburgh, Cambridge, Danby, Glover, and North Ferrisburg. Unknown disease and insect samples were taken and identified with assistance from the UVM Plant Diagnostic Laboratory (PDC).
Corn Cropping Systems To Improve Economic And Environmental Health, Heather Darby, Nate Brigham, Julija Cubins, Abha Gupta
Corn Cropping Systems To Improve Economic And Environmental Health, Heather Darby, Nate Brigham, Julija Cubins, Abha Gupta
Northwest Crops & Soils Program
In 2016, UVM Extension’s Northwest Crops & Soils Program continued a multi-year trial at Borderview Research Farm in Alburgh, VT to assess the impact of corn cropping systems on overall health and productivity of the crop and soil. Yields are important and they affect the bottom line immediately and obviously. Management choices involving crop rotation, tillage, nutrient management, and cover crops also make differences in the long term. Growing corn with practices that enhance soil quality and crop yields improves farm resiliency to both economics and the environment. This project evaluated yield and soil health effects of five different corn …
Cool Season Annual Forage Mixtures Trial, Heather Darby, Sara Ziegler, Nate Brigham, Julija Cubins, Abha Gupta
Cool Season Annual Forage Mixtures Trial, Heather Darby, Sara Ziegler, Nate Brigham, Julija Cubins, Abha Gupta
Northwest Crops & Soils Program
In 2016, the University of Vermont Extension Northwest Crops and Soils Program evaluated yield and quality of cool season annuals and mixtures of these annuals at Borderview Research Farm in Alburgh, VT. In the Northeast, cool season perennial grasses dominate the pastures and hay meadows farmers rely on throughout the season. Often times during the fall months, the perennial pasture will decline in yield and quality. Addition of cool season annual forages into the grazing system during this time may help improve the quality and quantity of forage and potentially extend the grazing season. Recently, there has been a growing …
Barley Weed Control Trial, Heather Darby, Julija Cubins, Erica Cummings, Hillary Emick, Abha Gupta, Julian Post
Barley Weed Control Trial, Heather Darby, Julija Cubins, Erica Cummings, Hillary Emick, Abha Gupta, Julian Post
Northwest Crops & Soils Program
Demand for local, organic grains has been increasing in recent years as businesses such as flour mills, malt houses, and bakeries have grown and developed business models to include a higher proportion of local ingredients in their products. While acreage has increased in recent years, the organic grains industry requires the use of innovative strategies to control weeds and address disease issues to grow grains in the most efficient manner. In 2016, the University of Vermont Extension Northwest Crops and Soils Program evaluated barley grown in with different row spacing combined with cultivation to assess the weed control potential of …
Dry Bean Planting Date Trial, Heather Darby, Erica Cummings
Dry Bean Planting Date Trial, Heather Darby, Erica Cummings
Northwest Crops & Soils Program
Dry beans (Phaseolus vulgaris), a high-protein pulse crop, have been grown in the Northeast since the 1800’s. As the local food movement expands, consumers have requested stores offer more locallyproduced foods, and dry beans are no exception. Farmers growing dry beans are trying to improve yields to meet these increased demands. Agronomic information for growing dry beans is geared towards major production regions outside of the northeastern region. Therefore, the University of Vermont Extension Northwest Crops and Soils Program (NWCS) is working with local farmers to develop best agronomic strategies for dry bean production in our problematic Northeastern climate. In …
Cool Season Annual Forage Mixtures Trial, Heather Darby, Sara Ziegler, Nate Brigham, Julija Cubins, Abha Gupta
Cool Season Annual Forage Mixtures Trial, Heather Darby, Sara Ziegler, Nate Brigham, Julija Cubins, Abha Gupta
Northwest Crops & Soils Program
In 2016, the University of Vermont Extension Northwest Crops and Soils Program evaluated yield and quality of cool season annuals and mixtures of these annuals at Borderview Research Farm in Alburgh, VT. In the Northeast, cool season perennial grasses dominate the pastures and hay meadows farmers rely on throughout the season. Often times during the fall months, the perennial pasture will decline in yield and quality. Addition of cool season annual forages into the grazing system during this time may help improve the quality and quantity of forage and potentially extend the grazing season. Recently, there has been a growing …
Corn Cropping Systems To Improve Economic And Environmental Health, Heather Darby, Nate Brigham, Julija Cubins, Abha Gupta, Sara Ziegler
Corn Cropping Systems To Improve Economic And Environmental Health, Heather Darby, Nate Brigham, Julija Cubins, Abha Gupta, Sara Ziegler
Northwest Crops & Soils Program
In 2016, UVM Extension’s Northwest Crops & Soils Program continued a multi-year trial at Borderview Research Farm in Alburgh, VT to assess the impact of corn cropping systems on overall health and productivity of the crop and soil. Yields are important and they affect the bottom line immediately and obviously. Management choices involving crop rotation, tillage, nutrient management, and cover crops also make differences in the long term. Growing corn with practices that enhance soil quality and crop yields improves farm resiliency to both economics and the environment. This project evaluated yield and soil health effects of five different corn …
Dry Bean Planter Type Trial, Heather Darby, Erica Cummings
Dry Bean Planter Type Trial, Heather Darby, Erica Cummings
Northwest Crops & Soils Program
Dry beans (Phaseolus vulgaris), a high-protein pulse crop, have been grown in the Northeast since the 1800’s. As the local food movement expands, consumers are requesting more and more locally produced foods, and heirloom dry beans are no exception. Currently, the demand for heirloom dry beans has exceeded the supply. In an effort to support and expand the local bean market throughout the northeast, the University of Vermont Extension Northwest Crops and Soils Program established a trial to evaluate the impact of planter type on dry bean yield. This project was funded as part of a USDA NE-SARE Partnership Grant …
Long Season Corn Silage Variety Trial, Heather Darby, Hillary Emick, Nate Brigham, Julija Cubins, Erica Cummings, Abha Gupta, Sara Ziegler
Long Season Corn Silage Variety Trial, Heather Darby, Hillary Emick, Nate Brigham, Julija Cubins, Erica Cummings, Abha Gupta, Sara Ziegler
Northwest Crops & Soils Program
In 2016, the University of Vermont Extension Northwest Crops and Soils Program evaluated yield and quality of 43 long season corn silage varieties at Borderview Research Farm in Alburgh, VT. Long season corn can be difficult to grow in Vermont due to limited Growing Degree Days (GDDs) accumulating through the growing season. In addition, wet springs and falls are common across Vermont, delaying corn planting and complicating harvest timing. Late harvest can also reduce the chances of timely fall manure applications and planting of cover crops. However, if planted early, long season corn can produce high yield and quality forage …
Short Season Corn Silage Variety Trial, Heather Darby, Julija Cubins, Nate Brigham, Abha Gupta, Lindsey Ruhl, Sara Ziegler
Short Season Corn Silage Variety Trial, Heather Darby, Julija Cubins, Nate Brigham, Abha Gupta, Lindsey Ruhl, Sara Ziegler
Northwest Crops & Soils Program
In 2016, the University of Vermont Extension Northwest Crops and Soils Program evaluated yield and quality of short season corn silage varieties at Borderview Research Farm in Alburgh, VT. While short season corn is an obvious choice in areas that accumulate fewer Growing Degree Days (GDDs), it also has a place in longer season areas. Growing a shorter season variety can allow for more time in the fall to adequately prepare the soil for winter by applying manure and planting cover crops, thereby minimizing nutrient and soil losses. In addition to these benefits, past UVM Extension variety trials have shown …
Manure Incorporation And Reduced Tillage Corn Trial, Heather Darby, Nate Brigham, Julija Cubins, Erica Cummings, Abha Gupta, Julian Post, Sara Ziegler
Manure Incorporation And Reduced Tillage Corn Trial, Heather Darby, Nate Brigham, Julija Cubins, Erica Cummings, Abha Gupta, Julian Post, Sara Ziegler
Northwest Crops & Soils Program
Timely manure incorporation can reduce nutrient losses to the atmosphere and surface runoff. Keeping valuable nutrients, like nitrogen, in the soil can help reduce the purchase of expensive commercial fertilizers. Reduced tillage corn is becoming more common as growers recognize the benefits to soil health and water quality. Some options to implement reduced tillage include no-tillage and vertical-tillage. No-tillage planting uses metal coulters to cut a slot for the seed, rather than tilling the soil. Vertical-tillage lightly tills the top 2-3” of the soil, as the implement is pulled quickly across a field to produce a uniform seedbed without deep …
Vermont Organic Silage Corn Performance Trial, Heather Darby, Nate Brigham, Julija Cubins, Abha Gupta, Sara Ziegler
Vermont Organic Silage Corn Performance Trial, Heather Darby, Nate Brigham, Julija Cubins, Abha Gupta, Sara Ziegler
Northwest Crops & Soils Program
The University of Vermont Extension Northwest Crops and Soils Program conducted an organic silage corn variety trial in 2016 to provide unbiased performance comparisons of commercially available varieties. It is important to remember that the data presented are from a replicated research trial from only one location in Vermont and represent only one season. Crop performance data from additional tests in different locations and over several years should be compared before making varietal selections.
Dry Bean Seeding Rate Trial, Heather Darby, Erica Cummings
Dry Bean Seeding Rate Trial, Heather Darby, Erica Cummings
Northwest Crops & Soils Program
Dry beans (Phaseolus vulgaris), a high-protein pulse crop, have been grown in the Northeast since the 1800’s. As the local food movement expands, consumers have requested stores stock more and more locally produced foods, and heirloom dry beans are no exception. Currently, the demand for heirloom dry beans has exceeded the supply. Little agronomic information exists for production of dry beans in New England. In an effort to support and expend the local bean market throughout the northeast, the University of Vermont Extension Northwest Crops and Soils Program, as part of a USDA NE-SARE Partnership Grant (PG16-049), in 2016 established …
Maximizing Forage Yields In Corn Silage Systems With Winter Grains, Heather Darby
Maximizing Forage Yields In Corn Silage Systems With Winter Grains, Heather Darby
Northwest Crops & Soils Program
Producing sufficient high quality forage on farms is becoming difficult given current economic and environmental pressures. Farmers are looking for strategies to improve yield and quality of their own forage to reduce the financial burden of purchasing feed off-farm. One strategy for accomplishing this is utilizing winter grains, such as rye, wheat and triticale, as forage crops. These crops could be grazed or harvested in the fall to extend the grazing season, and in the spring could provide early forage prior to planting corn silage. In the fall of 2015 the University of Vermont Northwest Crops and Soils Program initiated …
Perennial Forage Trial, Heather Darby, Sara Ziegler, Nate Brigham, Julija Cubins, Hillary Emick, Abha Gupta
Perennial Forage Trial, Heather Darby, Sara Ziegler, Nate Brigham, Julija Cubins, Hillary Emick, Abha Gupta
Northwest Crops & Soils Program
In 2015, the University of Vermont Extension Northwest Crops and Soils Program initiated a trial investigating forage yield, quality, and nitrogen use efficiency of cool season perennial grasses alone and in combination with red clover. The grass species selected were orchardgrass, timothy, brome, and meadow fescue. These grasses were chosen as they have been shown in previous research to have adequate survivability and forage production in this region compared to other species such as perennial ryegrass or festulolium. The goal of this trial is to evaluate these species not only for forage yield and quality, but also nitrogen use efficiency …
Summer Annual Forage Mixtures Trial, Heather Darby, Sara Ziegler, Nate Brigham, Julija Cubins
Summer Annual Forage Mixtures Trial, Heather Darby, Sara Ziegler, Nate Brigham, Julija Cubins
Northwest Crops & Soils Program
In 2016, the University of Vermont Extension Northwest Crops and Soils Program evaluated yield and quality of six summer annual forage species and five mixtures at Borderview Research Farm in Alburgh, VT. In the Northeast, cool season grasses dominate the pastures and hay meadows farmers rely on throughout the season. With the onset of hot summer weather, these grasses enter dormancy and slow in production leading to what is generally referred to as the “summer slump”. In addition to this loss in production, organic producers must provide animals with 30% of their dry matter intake (DMI) from pasture over at …
Http://Www.Uvm.Edu/Extension/Cropsoil/Wp-Content/Uploads/2016-Using-Winter-Rye-As-Forage-In-Corn-Silage-Systems.Pdf, Heather Darby, Julija Cubins, Erica Cummings, Hillary Emick
Http://Www.Uvm.Edu/Extension/Cropsoil/Wp-Content/Uploads/2016-Using-Winter-Rye-As-Forage-In-Corn-Silage-Systems.Pdf, Heather Darby, Julija Cubins, Erica Cummings, Hillary Emick
Northwest Crops & Soils Program
The interest in growing cereal rye for grain to be sold as cover crop seed, or to other value-added markets (distillers and bakers), has increased considerably across the Northeast region. As a result, farmers and end-users are requesting yield and quality information on cereal rye varieties. In 2016, University of Vermont Extension Northwest Crops and Soils (NWCS) Program conducted a variety trial to evaluate yield and quality of cereal rye. The varieties were Huron, Spooner, Abruzzi, Brasetto, Musketeer, and one variety that was not specified (VNS).
The Efficacy Of Fungicide Application To Control Fusarium Head Blight Infection In Spring Wheat, Heather Darby, Erica Cummings, Julian Post
The Efficacy Of Fungicide Application To Control Fusarium Head Blight Infection In Spring Wheat, Heather Darby, Erica Cummings, Julian Post
Northwest Crops & Soils Program
There is a high demand for locally grown wheat for baking purposes throughout the Northeast. Currently, there is not enough grown in the region to meet this demand. One major obstacle for growers is Fusarium head blight (FHB) infection of grain. This disease is currently the most important disease facing grain growers in the Northeast, resulting in loss of yield, shriveled grain, and most importantly, harmful mycotoxin contamination. A vomitoxin called Deoxynivalenol (DON) is considered the primary mycotoxin associated with FHB. The spores are usually transported by air currents and can infect plants at flowering through grain fill. Eating contaminated …
Summer Annual Variety Trial, Heather Darby, Sara Ziegler, Nate Brigham, Julija Cubins
Summer Annual Variety Trial, Heather Darby, Sara Ziegler, Nate Brigham, Julija Cubins
Northwest Crops & Soils Program
Warm season grasses, such as sorghum x sudangrass crosses, sudangrass, and millet are high-yielding annuals that can provide quality forage in the hot summer months, when the cool season grasses that make up most pastures and hay meadows in the Northeast enter dormancy and decline in productivity. The addition of summer annuals into a rotation can provide a harvest of high-quality forage for stored feed or grazing during this critical time. Generally, summer annuals germinate quickly, grow rapidly, are drought resistant, and have high productivity and flexibility in utilization. The UVM Extension Northwest Crops and Soils team conducted this variety …
The Efficacy Of Spraying Organic Fungicides To Control Fusarium Head Blight Infection In Spring Wheat, Heather Darby, Erica Cummings, Julian Post
The Efficacy Of Spraying Organic Fungicides To Control Fusarium Head Blight Infection In Spring Wheat, Heather Darby, Erica Cummings, Julian Post
Northwest Crops & Soils Program
There is a high demand for locally grown wheat for baking purposes throughout the Northeast. One major obstacle for growers is Fusarium head blight (FHB) infection of grain. This disease is currently the most important disease facing organic and conventional grain growers in the Northeast, resulting in loss of yield, shriveled grain, and most importantly, mycotoxin contamination. A vomitoxin called Deoxynivalenol (DON) is considered the primary mycotoxin associated with FHB. Eating contaminated grain with DON concentrations greater than 1ppm poses a health risk to both humans and livestock. The FHB spores are usually transported by air currents and can infect …
Using Winter Rye As Forage In Corn Silage Systems, Heather Darby, Sara Ziegler, Nate Brigham, Julija Cubins University Of Vermont, Abha Gupta
Using Winter Rye As Forage In Corn Silage Systems, Heather Darby, Sara Ziegler, Nate Brigham, Julija Cubins University Of Vermont, Abha Gupta
Northwest Crops & Soils Program
No abstract provided.
The Efficacy Of Spraying Fungicides To Control Fusarium Head Blight Infection In Spring Malting Barley, Heather Darby
The Efficacy Of Spraying Fungicides To Control Fusarium Head Blight Infection In Spring Malting Barley, Heather Darby
Northwest Crops & Soils Program
Public interest in sourcing local foods has extended into beverages, and the current demand for local brewing and distilling ingredients is quickly increasing. One new market that has generated interest of both farmers and end-users is malted barley. This only stands to reason since the Northeast alone is home to over 175 microbreweries and 35 craft distillers. Until recently, local malt was not readily available to brewers or distillers. However, a rapid expansion of the fledgling malting industry will hopefully give farmers new markets and end-users hope of readily available malt. To date, the operating maltsters struggle to source enough …
Oat Variety Trial, Heather Darby, Julija Cubins, Erica Cummings, Hillary Emick
Oat Variety Trial, Heather Darby, Julija Cubins, Erica Cummings, Hillary Emick
Northwest Crops & Soils Program
Oats (Avena sativa L.) have a long history of production in the Northeast. Although most oats are planted for a cover crop or forage, grain oats are a potential revenue source for farmers. According to the 2007 census, about 200 acres of land in Vermont is cultivated for oat grain production, with an average yield of 1747 lbs per acre. With the exception of hull-less varieties, oats need to be de-hulled before being used for human consumption and further processing is required to make oatmeal, steel cut oats, or oat flour. Since 2009, the University of Vermont Extension Program has …